CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 16: Rise of Popular Movements NCERT Solutions

Solution: The incorrect statement is (c). The Chipko Movement was primarily an environmental movement focused on forest conservation and resource rights. While women were active participants and it addressed broader socio-economic issues, its main objective was not to combat alcoholism, which was the focus of a different movement in Andhra Pradesh.

Solution:

Statement (a) is incorrect. Social movements are not necessarily hampering democracy; rather, they often contribute to its vibrancy by bringing attention to unaddressed issues and promoting citizen participation. A corrected statement could be: "Social movements contribute to the functioning of India's democracy by providing platforms for citizens to voice concerns and demand accountability."

Statement (b) is correct. The strength of social movements indeed lies in their ability to mobilize a large number of people from diverse social backgrounds, creating a significant collective force.

Statement (c) is correct. Social movements often arise when political parties fail to adequately address specific grievances or broader societal issues, providing an alternative avenue for collective action and advocacy.

Solution:

Reasons for the Chipko Movement:

1. The movement began in the early 1970s in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). The immediate trigger was the government's refusal to allow local villagers to cut ash trees for making agricultural tools, while simultaneously allotting the same forest areas to a sports manufacturing company for commercial logging.
2. Villagers protested against the government's logging practices and the perceived injustice of prioritizing commercial interests over local needs and forest conservation.

Impact of the Movement:

1. The movement soon spread across many parts of Uttarakhand, bringing larger issues of ecological and economic exploitation to the forefront.
2. The government responded by issuing a ban on felling trees in the Himalayan region for fifteen years, allowing the forest cover to regenerate.
3. A novel and significant aspect was the active participation of women, who physically embraced the trees ('Chipko' means 'to hug') to prevent them from being cut.
4. This movement, starting with a single issue, became a symbol for numerous other popular movements that emerged across India during the 1970s, advocating for environmental protection and resource rights.

Solution:

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) emerged as a prominent farmers' movement, particularly active in the 1990s, protesting against the economic liberalization policies of the Indian government and advocating for the welfare of farmers.

Issues Addressed by BKU:

1. Higher Government Floor Prices: Demanding better Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key crops like sugarcane and wheat to ensure fair returns for farmers.
2. Electricity Supply: Advocating for a guaranteed and subsidized supply of electricity at reasonable rates for agricultural purposes.
3. Loan Waivers: Pushing for the waiver of agricultural loans, recognizing the financial distress faced by many farmers.
4. Government Pension: Seeking the provision of a government pension scheme for farmers, ensuring financial security in old age.
5. Inter-state Movement Restrictions: Calling for the abolition of restrictions on the movement of farm produce between states, promoting a free market for agricultural goods.

Extent of Success:

1. BKU organized numerous rallies, demonstrations, and 'Jail Bharo' (court arrest) agitations, involving lakhs of farmers from western Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions, effectively highlighting their plight.
2. The organization operated as a significant pressure group in politics, leveraging its large membership base to influence policy decisions.
3. BKU became one of the more successful social movements due to its strong, sustained network among its members, which facilitated mobilization of funds, resources, and coordinated activities.
4. Its success was also measured by its ability to engage in political bargaining, and BKU farmers often played a dominant role in regional electoral politics, demonstrating their political influence.

Solution:

The anti-arrack movement, primarily led by rural women in Andhra Pradesh, brought several critical issues to national attention:

1. Alcoholism and its Impact: The movement directly protested against the increased consumption of locally brewed alcohol ('arrack') by men, which was negatively impacting the rural economy, family finances, and leading to social problems.
2. Nexus between Crime and Politics: The movement highlighted the close links between the illicit liquor trade, organized crime, and political patronage, suggesting that corruption facilitated the proliferation of arrack.
3. Domestic Violence: Women used the movement as a platform to openly discuss and protest against issues of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and other forms of sexual violence within families, which were often exacerbated by alcoholism.
4. Women's Empowerment and Agency: The movement demonstrated women's collective power to organize and demand social change, challenging patriarchal norms and asserting their right to a safe and stable environment.
5. Prohibition Demands: A core demand was the prohibition of arrack sales, aiming to curb the social ills associated with its consumption.

Solution:

Yes, the anti-arrack movement can certainly be considered a significant part of the broader women's movement in India. Here's why:

1. Focus on Women's Concerns: The movement was initiated and predominantly led by women who were directly affected by the negative consequences of male alcoholism on their families and livelihoods.
2. Addressing Domestic Issues: It provided a crucial public platform for women to voice and collectively address issues of domestic violence, financial distress caused by alcohol expenditure, and the overall breakdown of family structures, which are core concerns of women's empowerment.
3. Challenging Patriarchy: By organizing and demanding the prohibition of arrack, women challenged patriarchal norms that often tolerated or ignored the destructive effects of alcohol consumption and asserted their agency in public life.
4. Broader Social Impact: While focused on arrack, the movement's success in mobilizing women and forcing policy changes demonstrated the power of collective action for social reform, a hallmark of many women's movements.